Rotary engine.



J. H. VAN DEVENTEPJ.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLIYOAT'ION FILED APR, 22, 1912.

1,046,687, N v Patented Dec. 10,1912.

I Ar'rozzvty wars v INVENTOR ww jofi W UNITED STA'IEES PATENT ()FFIQE.

JOHN HERBERT VAN DEVEN'IER, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR '10 BUFFALO FORGE COMPANY, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented Dec. 10, 1912.

Application filed April 22, 1912. Serial N 0. 692,310.

vented certain new and useful Improvo ments in Rotary Engines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to rotary engines and more particularly to engines with rotors, each having a plurality of spirally disposed and inter-meshing toot-h blades.

In general the objects sought to be ob tained by the invention herein described are substantially the same as those set forth in my issued Patent No. 996169 and my pend ing application, Serial No. 627166.

In producing my invention, 1 have sought to obtain, specifically, a rotary engine in which the buckets formed between the inter- .meshing tooth blades shall be lengthened and the volume of said buckets increased, while the angle, which the greater part of said tooth blades make with the axes of the rotors, remains substantially the same as in my other invention. Thus I am able to increase the expansion of said motive fluid in said buckets.

I In the specification and the appended claims the term fluid will be used as a general term for the pressure medium, but the engine is especially adapted for the use of steam and obviously it is applicable to be driven with either steam or compressed air, as well as any fluid under pressure.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of the specification, in which like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views of which:

Figure 1 is a bottom view of my engine with the base broken away and with the inter-meshing tooth blades shown diagran'lmatically. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of my engine and is taken on line ;\B of Fig. l, and shows the rotors in a diagrammatic manner.

In the drawii'igs, the numeral 5 represents the base of my engine.

6 and 7 represent the rotor shafts which are rotatably carried in suitable bearings,

preferably integral with the base Mounted, in a rigid manner, upon the shafts 6 and 7 respectively, are rotors 8 and 9. Each of the said rotors 1S provided with a plurality of right -hand spirally dispose-d tooth blades 10 and 10 which extend across the rotors for substantially one-half of their length and a plurality of left'hand spirally disposed tooth blades 11' and 11 are also provided which extend across the said rotors for substantially the remaining half of their length. The right-hand tooth blades 10 and 10 of one rotor are arranged to mesh with the left hand tooth blades 11 and 11 of the opposite rotor and as the right-hand and left-hand tooth blades 10 and 11*, respectively, meet and join one another at the center of each rotor, buckets are thus formed by the said tooth blades, whereby the propulsion of the rotors is made possible. As the said tooth blades mesh with one another, transmission'of rotation is secured between the said rotors without the use of additional gearing. T he said righthand and lefthand tooth blades 10 and 11, respectively, are preferably shorter in length than the righthand and left-hand tooth blades 10 and 11, respectively, and they are disposed so as to make a greater angle with the axes of the rotors than the said tooth blades 10 and 11.

Represented by the numeral 12 is a rib which is preferably formed integral with the base This rib extends preferably the entire length of the rotors 8 and 9 and extends up in between the said rotors to the point of intersection of their perimeters and is in conformity with'said perimeters and in bearing contact therewith. The number of tooth blades in each rotor and the angle which the said tooth blades make with the rotor shafts, govern the extent. to which the said rib envelops the said rotors and it is only necessary that this rib extend around the rotors far enough so as to confine the fluid under pressure to any pair of meshing tooth blades until the said pair of tooth blades cease to mesh or until each bucket formed by the iutermcshiug tooth bladeshas developed its full volume. It is obvious that if desired the said rib may be contiuued around the rotors and substantially inclose the same, thus forming a casing in which the exhaust fluid will be confined and from which it may be carried by suit- T said port is disposed preferably in a horizontal plane and extends through from one side of the rib to the other side. Thus when the fluid under pressure enters the said port, it will be causedto impinge on the tooth blades of each rotor at the same time. Gommunicating with the said inlet port 13 is a port 14 which connects with a port 15. The port 15 extends from the port 14 through the base 5 and is screwthreaded at its outer end, whereby the inlet pipe 16 may be secured to said base.

It will be clearly seen by referring to the drawing, that the tooth blades 17 and 18 on the rotor 9 and tooth blade 19 on the rotor 8 are in mesh and have formed between them a bucket 20. As the rotors are each provided with right-hand and left-hand tooth blades, two buckets will be formed simultaneously, but as each rotor is providedwith a plurality of tooth blades, the formation of but one double-sided bucket is started by the 'intermeshing tooth blades at 'any one time. When the rotors are revolv-.

ing, at substantially the instant when abucket is startedthe fluid under pressure is made to impinge upon the tooth blades forming such bucket. Thus an impact action is secured and, as the rotors continue to' revolve, the capacity or volume'of said bucket is greatly increased due to the recession toward the ends of the rotors of the points of mesh of the said tooth blades forming the said bucket. As the rotors are revolving by reason of the bucket being under pressure, the tooth blades forming the side of said bucket when passing the inlet port 12, out oli the supply from said bucket After the supply has been cut oil from any one bucket the fluid contained therein will expand and at the same time exert its increased energy against the points of mesh, or until it has developed its full capacity or volume, or until the tooth blades forming said bucket cease to mesh. Thus, obviously, the ratio of expansion may be changed by changing the size and location of the inlet port or the angle and length of 'the spirally disposed intermeshing tooth blades.

As hereinbefore stated, the ri lit-hand and left-hand tooth blades 10 an 11, re-

spectively, are joinedand thus form angular pockets. The fluid under pressure is admitted at this point and it will beseen that leakage of the said fluid atthe junction of the said rotors is impossible. As it is possible to make a very good and practically non-leaking contact or bearing between the perimeters of-the rotors and the rib,- the leakage of fluid in my engine is reduced to finilinimum, thus making its efiiciency very Obviously some detailed modifications of my invention as herein shown and described noeassr may. be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims and I do not wish to be limited to the exact embodiment herein shown and described. 1.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is: i

1. In a rotary engine the combination of two or more intermeshing and engaging rotors, shafts secured in said rotors and-rotatably mounted in suitable bearings, each of said rotors having a plurality of righthand spirally disposed tooth blades starting from a plurality of circumferential. points on said rotors located at one end thereof and extending toward the center of said rotors, and a plurality of left-hand spirally disposed tooth blades starting from a plurality of circumferential points on said rotors located at the opposite end thereof and extending toward the center of said rotors, the inner end portions of each of said tooth blades making agreater angle withthe axes of said rotors than the remaining portions, the said inner end portions of said right and left-hand tooth blades of each rotor meshing and joining and thereby forming angular pockets, and a fluid inlet provided with a port for conducting fluid under pressure to said rotors, said port being'so located and formed that said conducted fluid will be impinged Within the angular pockets formed by said tooth blades.

2. In a rotary engine, the combination of two or more intermeshing and engaging rotors, shafts secured in said rotors and rotatably mounted in suitable bearings, each rotor having a plurality of right-hand spirally disposed tooth blades starting from a plurality of circumferential points on said rotors located at one end thereof and extending toward the center of said rotors and a plurality of left-hand spirally disposed tooth bladesstarting from a plurality of circumferential points on said rotors located at A the opposite ends and extending toward the center of said rotors, the inner end portions of each of said tooth blades making a greater angle with the axes of said rotors than the remaining portions, said right-hand and left-hand spirally disposed tooth blades of one rotor meshing, respectively, with said left-hand and right hand spirally disposed tooth blades of another rotor, whereby buckets are formed by the meshing tooth blades of said rotors, and a fluid inlet provided with a port for conducting fluid under pressure to said rotors, said port being so located and formed that said conducted fluid will be impinged within said buckets formed by said tooth blades.

3. In a rotary engine the combination of two or more intermeshing and engaging. rotors, shafts secured in sald rotors and 1-0-- span tatably mounted in suitable bearings, each of said rotors having a plurality of righthand spirally disposed tooth blades starting from a plurality of circumferential points on said rotors located at one end thereof and extending toward. the center of said rotors, and a plurality of left-hand spirally disposed tooth-blades starting from a plurality of circumferential points on said rotors ---located at the opposite end thereof and extending toward the center of said rotors, the inner end portions of each of -said tooth blades making a greater angle with the axes of said rotors than the remaining portions,

the said inner. end portions of said right and l ft-hand tooth blades of each rotor mesh--- ing and joining and thereby forming angular pockets, said right-hand. and left hand spirally disposed toot-h blades of one rotor meshing,respectively, with the saidleft-hand and right-hand spirally disposed tooth blades of another rotor, whereby buckets are formed between the meshing tooth .bladesof said rotors, and a fluid. inlet provided with a port for conducting fluid under. pressure to said rotors, said port being so located and formed'that said conducted fluid will be impinged within the angular pockets formed by said tooth blades. w, l

4. In a rotary engine the combination of a two or more intermeshin and engaging rotors, shafts secured in said rotors and 1-0- tatably mounted n suitable bearmgs,-each of Said rotors having a plurality, of right hand spirally disposed tooth blades starting from a plurality of circumferential points on said rotors located at one end. thereof and extending toward the center of said'rotors, and a plurality of left-hand spirallydisposed tooth blades starting from a plurality of circumferential points on said rotors located at the opposite'end thereof and extending toward the center ofsaid rotors, the inner end-portions of each of said tooth blades making a greater angle with the axes of said rotors'than the remaining portions, the said inner. end portions of said right and left-hand tooth blades of each rotor 'meshing and joining and thereby forming angular pockets, and a fluid inlet provided with a port having lateral passages leading into aid pockets, whereby the conducted fluid impacts in said pockets and against said tooth blades substantially in the direction of rotation of said rotors.

5. In a rotary engine the combination 01 two or more interineshing and engaging r0 tors, shafts secured in said rotors and rotatably mounted in suitable bearings, each of said rotors having a plurality of righthand spirally disposed tooth blades starting-- from a plurality of circumferential points on said rotors located at one-end thereof-and estcuthng toward the cont-er of said rotors, and a plurality of left-hand spirally disfrom a pluralit on said rotors o catedat one end t ereof andextending toward the center of said ro- Qtors, and a plurality of left-hand spirally disposed tooth blades starting froma pluposed tooth blades starting from a plumay of circumferential points on said rotors located at the opposite end thereof and extending toward the center of said rotors,

the inner end portions of each of said tooth blades making a greater angle with the axes of said rotors than the remaining portions, the, said .inner end portions of said right and left-hand. tooth blades of each rotor meshing andjoining and thereby forming angular pockets, and a rib extending substantially parallel to the axes of said rotors and in contact with the perimeters of said rotors for at least a portion oftheir peripheries, said rib being provided with a port for conducting fluid under pressure to said' angular pockets of said rotors.

6. In a rotary. engine, the combination of two or more intermeshing and engagin r0- tors, shafts secured insaid rotors an rotatably mounted in. suitable bearings, each of said rotors having a plurality of righthand spirally disposed tooth blades starting of circumferential oints rality of circumferential points on said 1'0- tors located at the opposite end thereof and extendingtoward the center of said rotors, the inner endportions of ea'ch'ofsaid tooth blades making a greater angle with the axes of said rotors than the remainin portions, the said inner end portions of sai left-handtoofh blades of each rotor meshing and joining and thereby forming angular pockets, and a rib extending'substanright and tially parallel to the axes of said rotors and in contact with the perimeters of said rotors for at least a portion of their peripheries, said rib being provided with lateral passages leadin into said pockets, whereby the conducted ifuid impacts in said pockets and against said tooth blades substantially in the direction of rotation of said rotors.

; 7. In a rotary engine, the combination of two or more intermeshing and engaging rotors, shafts secured in said rotors and rotaitably mounted .in suitable bearings, each each of said-tooth blades making a greater angle with the axes of said rotors than the remaining portions, said right-hand and left-hand spirally disposedtooth blades of one rotor meshing respectively, ,with said zooo 1|, p i A.

left-hand and-right-haiid spirally disposed tooth blades of another rotor, whereby buckets are formed between the meshing tooth blades of said rotors and a rib extending substantially parallel to-the axes of said rotors in contact with the perimeters of said rotors for at least a portion oftheir peri'ph; eries, said rib being provided with a port for conducting fluid under pressure to said buckets of'said rotors.

In a rotary ngine, the combination of two or more intermeshing and engaging rotors, shafts secured in said rotors and rotatably mounted in suitable bearings, each rotor having a' plurality ,of right-hand spirally disposed tooth blades starting from a plurality of circumferential points on said rotors located at one end thereof and extending toward'the center of said rotors and a plurality of left-hand spirallydisposed tooth blades starting from a plurality of circumferential points on said rotors located at the opposite ends'and extending toward the center of said rotors, the inner end portions of each of said tooth blades making a greater angle with the axes of said rotors than the remaining portions, said right-hand and left-hand spirally disposed tooth blades of one rotor meshin respectively, with said left-hand and rig t-hand spirally disposed tooth blades of another rotor, whereby buckets are formed between the meshing tooth blades of said rotors, and a rib extending substantially parallel to the axesof said rotors and in contact with the perimeters of said rotors for at least a portion-of their peripheries, said rib being provided with lateral passages leading into said pockets, whereby the conducted fluid impacts in said buckets and, against said tooth blades substantially in the direction of rotation of said rotors.

9. In a rotary engine, the combination of;

two or more intermeshing and engaging rotors, shafts secured in said rotorsand rotatably mounted in suitable bearings, each of said rotors having a plurality of right-hand spirally disposed tooth blades starting from a plurality of circumferential points on said rotors located at one end thereof and ex tending toward the center of said rotors, and a plurality of left-hand spirally disposed tooth blades starting from a plurality of circumferential points on said rotors located at the opposite end thereofland extending tooth blades have developed their full capacity.

10; In a rotary engine, the combination of two or more intermeshin and engaging rotors, shafts secured in said rotors and rotatably mo'untedin suitable bearings, each, rotor having a plurality of right-hand Sp1- I rally disposed tooth blades starting from a plurality ofcircumferential pointson said rotors located at one end thereof and extend ing toward the center of said rotors and a plurality of left-hand spirally disposed'tooth blades starting from-a plurality of circumferential points on said rotors located at the opposite ends and extending toward the center of said rotors, the inner'end portions of each'of'said tooth bladesmaking a-greater angle with the axes of said rotors than the remaining portions, said right-hand and lefthand spirally disposed toothblades of one rotor meshingrespectively, with said left-" hand and right-hand spirally disposed tooth I blades of another rotor, whereby buckets are formed between the meshing tooth blades of said rotors and a rib extending substantially parallel to the axes of said rotors andm contact with the perimeters of said rotorsfor at least a portion of their'peripheries, said rib being provided with a port so arranged-that the admission of fl'uid under pressure into any bucket is cut 01f by the succeeding bucket before the first mentioned bucket has developed its full volume.

'100 In testimony whereof, I have hereuntosigned my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses. 7

' JOHN HERBERT virnrvrrrar. Witnesses: J. WM. Ennis WALTER H. rLLEY. 

